Originally Posted by
NOS88
Two questions for you to consider, the first following a short introduction:
1. Men in three Matsigenka villages in southeastern Peru were shown six drawings of women that differed only in body weight and waist size. The men chose a drawing for each of these categories: healthiest, most attractive, and best potential spouse. The overwhelming winner in every category was the drawing of the heaviest woman with the thickest waist. Why might the Matsigenka men perceive heaviness as attractive?
2. What is the difference between overweight and being obese? Can a person be overweight and be healthy?
The strength of your response has me wondering if there isn't some body image prejudice taking place. I might be completely off base, and if so, my apologies.
I think that current figures for the incidence of diabetes, hypertension, stroke, and heart attack would argue against simple "body image prejudice".
As an interesting exercise, compare family group photos taken 50 to 100 years ago with those taken in the last ten years. What we see happening is a result of overabundance, overconsumption, and a near-total lack of physical activity- the "ideal" modern lifestyle.